record collection revisited: Warren Haynes "Man In Motion"

Warren Haynes' latest record ("Man In Motion") is a departure for this great guitarist who is concurrently a member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, and, The Dead (with original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh).  On "Man In Motion" Haynes revisits his roots which were drawn from southern R&B and soul music he heard in his youth.  His phenomenal guitar playing chops are still well represented and strong.  Haynes is one of the most soulful guitarists of his generation, and his singing voice matches his guitar playing in a muscular, gritty way.

For "Man In Motion" Haynes assembled a band of A list musicians including Ivan Neville from Dumpstaphunk and the New Orleans Social Club on B3, Clavinet and Wurlitzer electric piano, George Porter (from The Meters) on bass, Ian McLagan (keyboardist from The Faces) on B3 and Wurlitzer, Raymond Weber on drums and Ruthie Foster on backing vocals.  Haynes' band also features tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway.  Holloway started out with R&B bands and eventually worked his way to playing stints with Gil Scott Heron, Dizzy Gillespie and sitting in with Derek Trucks, Little Feat, Susan Tedeschi and Devon Allman & Honeytribe, over the last decade.

The album is very strong and though at it's core lies soul and R&B music, a lot of the numbers are real rock tunes as well, that have good meat on them both lyrically and sonically.  "Man In Motion" is autobiographical for Haynes in a way to be sure.  "River's Gonna Rise" has a positive message, advocating change from struggles into triumphs.  "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" is a soul classic cover originally done by William Bell.

 Haynes is a great lyricist as well, writing songs for this album and with Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers. Writing highlights on this album include the cuts "Man In Motion", "Sick of My Shadow", "On A Real Lonely Night", "Hattiesburg Hustle" and "A Friend To You".  For any fans of those bands and of soul music in general, though this album is supercharged, it's worth checking out.  The track listing is:

1. Man In Motion
2. River's Gonna Rise
3. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday
4. Sick of My Shadow
5. Your Wildest Dreams
6. On A Real Lonely Night
7. Hattiesburg Hustle
8. A Friend To You
9. Take a Bullet
10. Save Me

Give the album a listen.  It's classic, bluesy soul music at it's best.